{% include "includes/auth/janrain/signIn_traditional.html" with message='It looks like you are already verified. If you still have trouble signing in, you probably need a new confirmation link email.' %}

Opinion: Is it time for UGA to invest in an indoor practice facility?

When is UGA athletics director Greg McGarity finally going to buy an indoor practice facility for the football team?

That was a popular topic of conversation at Dawg Night, UGA’s biggest recruiting event of the year. Many of the top high school prospects from around the Southeast showed up for the football camp a few weeks ago.

Unfortunately, for the second year in a row, the outdoors-only Dawg Night was hindered by rainy weather.

And some of the top prospects in attendance, along with their parents, wondered aloud why UGA doesn’t have an indoor practice facility or IPF, like the rest of the SEC schools they’ve visited (with the exception of Florida).

It’s an excellent question – and one that always seems to be a sore point among many UGA fans on message boards.

How can UGA not have an IPF when most everybody else does — including far lesser programs? And why not when McGarity is already sitting on a pile of cash reserves at an estimated $70 million? On top of that, the SEC Network is about to make it rain dollar bills in the SEC like never seen before in college athletics.

It seems like the perfect time to make this type of commitment to UGA’s football future, doesn’t it?

Obviously, an IPF would help tremendously with recruiting, but that’s not really the main reason to build one.

The No. 1 reason why it might be time for McGarity to ante up for an IPF is for competitive reasons in football.

Simply put, not having one puts UGA at a competitive disadvantage.

Rivals such as Auburn, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia Tech can plan out a practice schedule months in advance and not have to worry making any changes due to weather. None. They can just go inside.

It may not seem like a big deal but it is. For example, Alabama will go indoors at least once per week during the brutal August heat to keep the draining heat off the players. Once the season starts, Alabama traditionally moves its entire Thursday and Friday practice sessions to its state-of-the-art IPF to keep the players fresh.

So that’s 28 indoor practices over the course of a 14-game season when the weather is good. We’re not even talking about using the IPF during thunderstorms, or every morning before practice for walk-throughs (like they do at Alabama and many other SEC schools, too).

Time is of the essence in college football. Don’t forget there’s talk about the NCAA putting even more time restrictions on future practices, so every minute of game preparation will count more than ever.

And there’s more. What about winter conditioning? Was it truly safe for UGA’s players to be running around at 5 a.m. when it was 35 degrees outside? What about spring practices? And what about the team’s voluntary workouts earlier this summer? One player told me at least six 7-on-7 sessions were canceled or postponed due to thunderstorms.

Realistically, the football team would use an IPF at least 150 times per year.

Wouldn’t it be nice to maintain some consistency with practices and workouts on a year-round basis rather than have to continuously check The Weather Channel app on your iPhone?

Let’s get right to the point: Since UGA’s football team generates the revenue and pays the bills for the school’s athletic department, why not give them the best of everything within reason?

An IPF would be a strong statement and investment by McGarity about the football program. (By the way, this is nothing personal against the AD; he’s always been courteous and professional to me).

It’s an easy solution for everybody: Put the IPF where the track is now (next to the UGA outdoor practice fields for football), and erect a new track next to the soccer and softball fields on Milledge Avenue. And build a top-notch track facility like other SEC schools – one that will attract elite sprinters who also play football. (What about the multi-purpose room at the Butts-Mehre with a small turf strip? Bust out the walls to expand the weight room)

And the IPF won’t only benefit football, but other UGA athletic teams, too. It would also be available to the baseball, track, volleyball and softball teams, just like they are at other SEC programs. It’s a win-win for everybody.

Few people realize this: Nick Saban created a dynasty at Alabama, but it’s not just because of his coaching or recruiting. Since 2007, university leaders and boosters have committed tens of millions of dollars toward top-notch facilities (new strength-and-conditioning center, an expanded indoor facility, new locker rooms at stadium, etc.) and other football-related needs. It’s not a coincidence Alabama’s ascension to the top under Saban has been accompanied with a tremendous commitment toward resources.

Is Greg McGarity ready to make the same type of commitment toward UGA’s football program? Does he want put the Bulldogs in the best position to compete at the same level as the Alabamas and Auburns for national championships every year?

The UGA Ath. Assoc. can solve this with the stroke of a pen. They have
tons of cash reserves. This is one of the most profitable programs in
all of college football. There is no good reason not to have a full-
size indoor facility added to Georgias arsenal.

enough is enough--GA fatcat boosters need to put up the millions to get the indoor facility, asap! mcgarity needs to make some calls and shake this money loose---these millionaires will pay whatever it takes if they get a lot of benefits in return. i'm tired of this.

Last season, a targeting foul caused an automatic ejection and 15-yard penalty. If instant replay determined that the hit was not targeting, the ejection was rescinded but inexplicably, the 15-yard penalty remained. Now, if officials determine via instant replay that the hit is not targeting, both the ejection and 15-yard penalty are overturned.

Yes we need a IPF yesterday its been total BS with all the foot dragging, It will not be put where the track is now due to the students and facility using it but it is the best place and never never enclose the bridge end at the stadium. Do we need more seats? No. Where would the parking come from? It really was tragic when the East end was enclosed and we lost the RR tracks also the Tech Deck is ugly!

Well I'm a UGA fan stuck in starkville,ms. and the bullpuppies at MSU have $ indoor practise facilities....wth..there is only offense,defense and special teams..always wondered what the fourth one will be used for

You take note of the teams that year in and year out are competing for Championships, like Alabama, and determine what are their resources. If Nick Saban believes in an IPF, I believe in an IPF. So, if you want to be viewed as a genuine AD, it's time to give your coaches and players all the legitimate and affordable resources to attract talent and optimal preparation. Otherwise, you're still viewed and as associate AD under Foley.

Richt said last year that he does not see the benefit in an IPF. He imagines the IPF near the soccer and softball fields and he doesn't want to bus the players. He doesn't want to disrupt the track facilities.

Can anyone imagine Saban deferring to the track coach? That's the difference between leadership that plays for national and SEC championships and leadership that is content with state championships.

Would like to expand our stadium too. We need to make the Sanford Bridge a focal point and spruce it up underneath. IPF is a No Brainer and Howdy Doody McGarrity has been dragging his feet on this one as well.

@SinceVince So MC we are constantly encouraged by you not to engage in personal attacks on your blogs and then you feature a comment that disparages the UGA AD? Not classy at all. The comment was fine until an adjective was used to describe Mr. McGarity. Greg was a DGD and is a lifelong UGA fan who doesn't deserve that type of disrespect from a UGA "fan".

If everyone else has a IPF, then McGarity should be fired. What is he thinking? Is he a fool? What possible reason can he have, given there is a70 million dollar surplus, PLUS the SEC cash rain that is to come.